Scope of Practice of Sonographers Across the United States: A Survey Study

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the current scope of practice of sonographers in the United States and ascertain if sonographers’ daily responsibilities align with the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography’s (SDMS) Sonographer’s Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards.

Materials and Methods:

A survey was disseminated to SDMS members and clinical sonographers with at least 5 years experience. The survey addressed demographics, education, certification, specialties practiced, job title, work environment, and scope of practice.

Results:

Of the 613 sonographers who responded, 90% were female and 10% male; the most common age group was 55–64 (36.7%). Most sonographers had a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree. Eighty-three percent of respondents were White, 5.4% Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin, 3% Black or African American, and 3% Asian. While 63% of sonographers have read the SDMS Scope of Practice, 52% reported they perform tasks not included or addressed, in their job description. Many teach sonography in the workplace and provide oral and/or written preliminary impressions and diagnoses.

Conclusion:

There are regional differences in scope of practice and gender differences in place of employment and job title. Sonographers reported to practice within the SDMS parameters. The guidelines can be expanded to include educating health professionals in sonography and having an increased role in providing diagnoses.

Accreditation, Credentialing, and Quality Improvement in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: A Literature Review

There are few regulations regarding facility accreditation and individual credentialing in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS), although it is known that the quality of examinations in the field can vary based by the operator. This literature review summarizes the findings from 19 research studies on accreditation, credentialing, and quality improvement and includes illustrative quotes from 23 position papers and 42 editorials. The review uncovered large differences in facility accreditation status based on sonography specialty and geographical area. The findings included many examples of positive correlations between accreditation and improved quality and also a positive correlation between credentialing and improved image quality. The survey studies revealed overwhelming support for accreditation and credentialing. Many articles raised concerns about the unknown quality of sonograms performed in nonaccredited facilities or by uncredentialed sonographers. If facility accreditation and/or individual credentialing could be implemented nationwide in DMS, it may lead to increased quality within the field.

The Impact of Formative Computer-Based Testing on Learners’ Anxiety and Performance on the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Examination

The intent of this research was to evaluate the effects of computerized mock examinations on student performances during the preparatory stage for a national board examination. Three measures were used: web-based surveys, student data from the ExamSim software (treatment group), and American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examination scores. Three research questions were posed: (1) What are the differences in ARDMS scores between the treatment and control groups? Mean scores showed that the treatment group scored significantly higher than the control group on the ARDMS examination. (2) To what degree did the scores and time invested on the ExamSim software predict performance on the ARDMS examination? A multiple linear regression was conducted, and the result was significant, with time and software scores accounting for 37.6% of the variance in ARDMS scores. (3) How did utilizing a formative computer-based assessment change perceived testing anxiety levels during the test preparatory phase? The result of the dependent sample t test was significant. Self-perceived scores at posttreatment were lower than self-perceived scores at pretreatment.